I write today because I am very concerned that our Centre County Commissioners are considering selling Centre Crest.
Commissioners have stated that they cannot continue to lose 1.5 Million a year to keep Centre Crest in operation.
1.5 million spread over all the tax payers in Centre County is approximate $25 per tax payer.
Consider that we are losing almost 6 million a year running the prison!
What would you rather your tax money be used for > running prisons - or to care for our sickest in need!??
If Centre Crest is sold to a non-profit, or a for-profit, where will those who cannot afford to pay for care go?
If it is private, we will not be able to talk to the owners, or voice our concerns or suggestions for changes!
Not to mention, all the employees of Centre Crest who will face an uncertain future if it is sold!
What can we do to keep Centre Crest a county owned nursing facility?
We can start by expressing our concerns.
Our elected officials are supposed to represent us, so let them know > their citizens want to keep Centre Crest county owned!
Please say NO to selling Centre Crest.
Say Yes to keeping Centre Crest county owned, operated, and controlled!
Say Yes to keeping Centre Crest county owned, operated, and controlled!
PLEASE CALL AND WRITE THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
Please attend the PUBLIC HEARINGS and express your concerns. (see schedule below, meetings start this week!)
Talk about this issue with your friends and neighbors, write letters to the paper...
send emails, forward this...
The commissioners are asking for the public input on this issue,
so I hope we can make a strong impression!
Let them know we value the noble cause of caring for the sick and less fortunate in our community.
I do not know know where the commissioners stand, individually on this issue yet,
maybe some are not yet decided...
I do know that I will not vote for any commissioner in the future,
if they do support selling Centre Crest.
This issue is especially important to me because my mother has Alzheimer's.
Centre Crest is a nursing facility and also has an alzheimer unit which I have looked at as a possible option for my mom, in the future.
Yes, private care places are nicer "homier" options, but they can average anywhere from $3000- $7000 a month.
After looking at countless places in Pittsburgh and in Centre County, I have slept easier knowing Centre Crest was an option for our family, as my Mother is nearly broke. If they sell Centre Crest to a private company or even a non-profit, I shutter to think... what options will we have...?
Yes, some people are fortunate and can afford private care,
but what about SO MANY OTHERS of us who do not have hundreds of thousands of dollars saved for health care?
Below is the contact info for the commissioners and the schedule for public meetings they are holding.
CONTACT:
County Commissioners phone: (814) 355-6700
Email all three commissioners: [email protected]
Email all three commissioners: [email protected]
Email separately:
Steve Dershem email: [email protected]
Steve Dershem email: [email protected]
Chris Exarchos email: [email protected]
Michael Pipe: [email protected]
PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULE:
Five meetings have been scheduled, after a short introduction the floor will be open to the audience for the rest of the time.
Begin at 6:30 p.m. end 8:30 p.m.
Feb. 27 at , Wednesday, the Library of Mountaintop Elementary School, Bald Eagle
March 6 , Wednesday, at the State College Municipal Building
March 12, Tuesday, at Centre Hall Elementary School
March 20, Wednesday, at Magesterial District Judge Allen Sinclair’s office in Philipsburg
March 27, Wednesday at the Bellefonte Courthouse Annex
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THANK YOU AND
LETS MAKE A DIFFERENCE for the good of the people!
Mary Vollero